Checkrein for harness



(No Model.)

J. M. GHAPPIN. p CH-EOKREIN FOR HARNESS.

N0. 556,618. Patented Mar. 17; 1896.

.Aitorney;

ANDREW KERMIAM. PKUTO-UTHQWASNINGTOMD C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. CHAFFIN, OF RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA.

CHECKREIN FOR HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,618, dated March1'7, 1896.

Application filed October 18, 1893. fierial No. 488,455. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN M. CHAFFIN, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Red Cloud, in the county of Webster and State of Nebraska,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gheckreins forHarness; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in checkreins for harness forholding the animals head in an elevated position. These checkreins asordinarily constructed are connected directly with the checkrein-hookson the saddle. This construction frequently results in severe injury tothe animals mouth, owing to the movements of the head being too suddenlychecked by said rein.

The object of my invention is to remedy the above and other defects byproviding an same.

improved yielding connection between the checkrein and its hook, whichwill gradually take up the strain caused by sudden movements of theanimals head, thus preventing jars and shocks which are liable to injurethe mouth, and which are also liable to injure the harness.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of a harnessattachment constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is acentral longitudinal section of the Fig. 3 is a central horizontalsection.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates two shortparallel coiled springs, each end of which is bent over, forming a coilor loop 2, with which engages a ring 3. One of these rings is connectedwith the checkrein in any suitable manner, while the other engages withthe checkrein-hook, as Will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art to which the invention pertains. Engaging with the rings 3 is anendless band 4, consisting of a leather strap with the ends unitedtogether. This band is somewhat longer than the springs When the latterare in a contracted or normal position. Its object is to limit themovement of the rings and prevent the springs from being distended totoo great an extent.

The numeral 5 designates two leather bands which embrace band 4 and holdit to the springs. These bands 5 are movable on band 4. p

The operation will be readily understood. One of the rings 3 isconnected with the checkrein, while the other is connected with thecheckrein-hook. It Will be obvious that any sudden movements of theanimals head will cause the springs to give or yield, thus preventingtoo sudden checking of said movements. The bandtprevents the springsfrom being damaged or injured by being distended to too great an extent.

While I have shown and described two springs in the present instance itis obvious that three or more may be employed without departure from myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is As an improvedarticle a harness attachment consisting of the coiled springs, the ringsconnected therewith, the endless band of leather or other flexiblematerial passing through said rings and around the coiled springs andthe movable bands embracing said endless band, substantially asspecified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereuntoaffixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN M. OHAFFIN. \Vitnesses:

GEO. R. CHANEY, C. H. POTTER.

